When it comes to the world of overclocking in x86 spaces, there is nothing known about on the planet that can come close to the Core 2 Duo's phenomenal abilities. It is already the stuff legends are made of, and that's about all there is to say about that.

The folks over at Tom's Hardware Guide have put together a step-by-step guide on how to obtain an 81% overclock for US$27. I won't give away the details of the process (visit THG to read the juice on the multiple overclocking features available), but suffice it to say that were it not for Core 2 Duo's overclockability, the suggestion to buy a low-end Core 2 Duo model and overclock it (see our related coverage) would probably not be a desirable solution for regular users. But the way it is today with Intel's advanced 65 nm manufacturing process, there's no need to buy the high-end systems, especially when you can easily overclock the FSB as well as obtaining higher core clock rates.

Noise?(10:12am EST Mon Jan 22 2007)I just read the guide at THG and unless I missed it I didn't read anything about how much noise the machine generated. Generally when over clocking a machine you need a lot of cooling which means a lot of noise.

Personally I'd rather have a slower machine with a smaller noise level. I think this helps integrate the machine in the home much.

Slow Machine????(11:15am EST Mon Jan 22 2007)Why would you ever want a slower machine. I can understand if the thing sounds like a jet during take off ie. rack server sound but come on. A home computer doesn't make that kind of noise and the chip is not going to need the same type of cooling a rack server takes. I'll take a little more noise and a faster computer at the house any day. plus if it really gets on my last nerve i have a sound system to drowned it out. :) – by cobra2497

Only $27?(1:04pm EST Mon Jan 22 2007)The only way that it's only $27 is if you have already blown all your money on the rest of the hardware they are using… $300 – CPU$195 – Mobo$180 – Video ~$300 – Memory$220 – Hard drive—–$1195 for the major parts.

WOW can't wait for 45nm Core2s(8:18pm EST Mon Jan 22 2007)Unlike AMDs current architecture that are at their limits looks like the Core2 got a lot of headroom. I can't wait for them 45nm Penrym babies. I figure they are going to have lots of frequency headroom and with the benefits of the shrink the power reduction is going to result in some awesome upside soon. – by lexington_steele

Not what I call a “low cost” system..(9:05pm EST Mon Jan 22 2007)

I see your point – maybe a “great value for money” or “huge bang for your buck” system would be a more appropriate tag.– by Moose

Slow/Quiet Machine.(11:54pm EST Mon Jan 22 2007)When watching movies or tv in the next room, it is great to not have to drown out your whirring fans.

listening to music, can be annoying when you have to turn it up 10 extra decibles just to drown out your computer with vaccum powered suction.

It doesn't speed up your e-mail, or browsing, or most creative tasks, because they wait on you more than you on them.

Why not movie encoding? because you set it and leave, but can't do much, because of the annoying racket.

Gaming, that is the one and only reason to build a loud system. You use headphones so you don't even hear the fans.